Instruments having a retractable member at both ends of said instrument



Mad* 5, i963 F. T. JQHMANN v 3,679,894

INSTRUMENTS HAVING A RETRACTABLE MEMBER AT BOTH ENDS OF SAID INSTRUMENT Filed D'ec.. 14, 1959' A 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 5, 1963 F. T, .IOHMANN INSTRUMENTS HAVING A RETRACTABLE MEMBER Y AT BOTH ENDS OF SAID INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-.Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14,- 1959- Rl v1 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,079,894 INSTRUMENTS HAVING A RETRACTABLE MEM- BER AT BTH ENDS 0F SA@ WS'IRUNEN'I Frank T. Iohmann, 49 Hampton Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ. Filed Dec. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 859,201 8 Claims. (Cl. 12d-42.1)

This invention relates to an instrument having a retractable member or implement at both ends of the instrument. Particularly, the invention relates to a ballpoint pen or pencil, having a writing point at both ends of the instrument, which point may be either exposed for writing or shielded for non-Writing use by pressing the tip portion of the instrument against a rigid surface.

In my prior patent application, U.S. Serial No. 841,243 I have described a tip-actuated ballpoint pen wherein the writing point could be either exposed or concealed either by pressing the point against a rigid surface or by pressing a pushbutton located at the top of the writing instrument. In my present invention I have further extended the principle of said Serial No. 841,243 by eliminating the pushbutton and instead providing another point to form an instrument having a writing point at each end of the instrument, wherein both points are tip-actuated. The advantage of the present invention is that it permits the utilization of different colored writing inks or types of inks in the same instrument. For example, one point can be adapted to write with blue ink while the other point can Write with red ink. Or one point can write with ink while the other point can write with fluid lead. Numerous other combinations are, of course, possible. In fact, the principle of my invention can be extended vto fields other than writing instruments, such as by the provision of small tools, needles, picks, etc. in the instrument in place of a writing point and cartridge.

While it has been previously known to provide several writing points or lead sticks (in the case of mechanical pencils) within the same barrel, it had been generally necessary to actuate the selection of said points or leads by buttons or other protuberances projecting through the side of the barrel. A disadvantage of this type of instrument was the inconvenience of actuating the device. Also, the protuberances are generally in the area where the instrument is grasped in the hand. Such protuberances can be avoided by the device of the present invention. At the same time, the present invention pro'vides retractable points which are readily exposed or concealed by merely pressing the desired writing end of the instrument against a rigid surface.

In one embodiment of my invention, I have shown two point-and-cartridge units which are actuated by a common mechanism. In this embodiment, pressing either end of the instrument against a rigid surface will serve to either expose or conceal both writing points together by the same single action. Frequently, a person using the instrument will wish to have both points available at the same time for writing, or both points concealed at the same time when not in use. With the previously discussed embodiment, the single action at either end of the pen simultaneously exposes or conceals both points.

In another embodiment of my invention I have provided a pen wherein each of the two points may be independently exposed or concealed without etlecting the position of the other point.

While not shown in the drawings, it will be obvious that my instrument can be advantageously used in conjunction with a normal press-on cap carrying a clip, although, of course, such a cap is not essential to the present invention.

The invention will be further understood by the fol- 3,679,894 Patented Mar. 5, 1953 lowing description and the accompanying drawings which include a preferred embodiment of my invention.

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the writing instrument of the invention, wherein the writing points at each end of the instrument are exposed for writing use.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the writing instrument of FIGURE l, wherein one of the writing ends has been pressed inwardly relative to the barrel by pressing said point against a rigid surface.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the writing instrument of FIGURE 1, wherein the points at each end of the instrument are concealed after having been lifted free from the rigid surface.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4--4 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 5 is a side view, partly in section, of a portion of the actuating mechanism.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating the relative positions of the various components of the actuating mechanism at various stages of operation of the retraction-protraction cycle.

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of another embodiment of my invention, wherein the exposure or concealment of each point is independent of the other and wherein both points are concealed.

FIGURE S is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the writing instrument of FIGURE 7, wherein one end of the instrument has been pressed against a rigid surface to actuate the retraction-protraction mechanism.

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of the writing instrument of FIGURE 7 showing the lower point exposed for writing after being lifted free from the rigid surface.

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional View taken along the lines 10-10 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view of an alternate construction of a portion of the actuating mechanism of FIGURES 1 to 6.

Reference is now made to the drawings in detail and particularly to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 6.

The writing instrument has an outer tubular casing or barrel including the lower barrel section 10 and the upper barrel section 10', which sections are joined together by threaded engagement. The outer ends of the respective barrel sections 10 and 10' are each tapered inwardly as at 11 and 11' and terminate in open ends. The bore extending through the tubular casing is reduced in its cross-section at both ends of the casing as indicated at 12 and 12' to thereby form annular interior lips 13 and 13 respectively. Seated upon said annular lips are tubular hood members 14 and 14', the outer end of each of said tubular members normally projecting through the adjacent open end of said casing and having an inwardly tapered surface. Cartridges, 15 and 15', formed with the respective flanges, 16 and 16' are provided, each having a short terminal yfeed tube 17 and 17', respectively, which in turn carry the respective writing balls 18 and 18'. Said cartridges 15 and 15 are each longitudinally movable within the respective hood members 14 and 14', their outer movement being limited by engagement of the shoulder 19 and 19' of the cartridge with the proximate interior annular lips 20 and 20 of said hood members. Proximate the center of the casing and longitudinally slidable therein, is carried a latch actuating mechanism. 'Ihis mechanism includes the tubular sleeve 21, having the closed upper end 22, while projecting upwardly from said end 22 is a tubular nipple 23. Fixed Within said sleeve are the tubular latch members 24 and 25 which are in spaced relationship to each other. The top rim of the lower latch member 24 is vformed with radially spaced deep slots or recesses 2.6 which are open at their upper end. Also formed in said top rim between said deep recesses 26, are pairs of upwardly projecting shallow teeth 27. Each 'tooth 27 has a vertical edge 27 and a tapered edge 27 (see FIG- URE 6). The lower rim of the upper latch member 25 is' also notched to form the downwardly-projecting radially spaced teeth 28, each having a vertical edge 28 and a tapered edge 28". Said downwardly projecting teeth 28 are radially offset from the upwardly projecting teeth 27 and are adapted to cooperate therewith in a manner to be later explained. Slidably extending through said lower tubular latch member 24 and slidably extendable into said upper tubular latch member 25 is a cylindrical member 29 which is formed with a groove or race 30 extending around its periphery, while its lower portion is formed with the blind hole or aperture 31. Carried within said race 30 is the ball 32 which is retained between the side walls of said race, but is freely rotatably around said race. Thus, the ball can move around the race, but is never completely free of the member 29. In assembling, the ball 32 is forced into the race 30 so that its center point is within the race. T'he inner end of the cartridge 15 is iixed, `as by frictional engagement within the lblind hole 31 seating against the inner wall 33 of said member 29. A compression coil spring 34 encircling said cartridge 15 and extending over the lower portion of the member 29, has one end seated against the lower edge of the member 24 and the other end seated against a washer 35 atop the ange 16. A sec- Vnd compression coil spring 36, encircling a lower portion of s'ai'd cartridge 15 is retained between the washer 35 abutting the lower 'side of the vilange 16 and the top Yend of the hood 14. The inner end of cartridge 15 extends into the nipple 23 and seats against the closed Aend 22 of the sleeve member 21. A second compression spring 36 is disposed around .a portion of the cartridge 15 and between Va washer 35 atop the ilange 16' and the inner end of the hood 14.

FIGURE 1 shows the writing instrument with both points 18 and 18 exposed for writing. It will be noted that the ball 32 is resting on the bottom edge of one of the deep slots 26 into Ywhich it also extends A(see FIG- URE 4). When the lower end of the writing instrument -is pressed down against a rigid surface 37, Yiirst the point 18, and then the hood 14, are forced inwardly into `the :barrel against the pressures of the spring 34. It will be noted thatthe upper cartridge 15 land its point 18 as -well as the sleeve 21, remain in'their original position. This is because the cartridge 15 cannot be forced any further upwardly due to engagement of its shoulder 19' against the inner annular lip 20' formed in the hood member 14', since said hood member 14 has an annular .lip or flange seating against the adjacent lip 13 formed fin the upper barrel section As the ylower cartridge is'forced inwardly, it carried upwardly the member 29 to which it is Xed. At the same time, the ball 32 is moved up and out of the deep slot 26 and into contact with a tapered edge 28" of one of the teeth 28. The ball 32 then 'slides 'upwardly along said edge 28`until kit reaches the lvertical edge 28 of the -next tooth as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Then as the instrument is lifted from the rigid surface 37, the member 29 and the ball 32 Ybegin to move downwardly as the spring 34 urges the cartridge A15, along with its fixed member 29, downward relative to the sleeve 21. The yball 32 thus moves out of contact with the upper teeth 28 and soon cornes into contact with a tapered The ball 32 then rolls or slides downwardly along said tapered edge 27"V Vuntil stopped by a vertical edge 27. The sleeve member 29 is now in a retracted or shortened position with relationship to th'e sleeve 21. Meanwhile, `a new balance of the opposing springs 36 and 36 is eifected so that the sleeve member 21 is in a lower posi- 'tion within the-casing as shown in FIGURE 3. At the edge 27" of a lower tooth 27.

same time, both the writing points 18 and 18' are now in a retracted position within their respective hoods 14 and 14'.

To extend the points from their retracted position within the instrument, one of said points (c g. 18) is again pressed downward against a rigid surface. First the hood 14, and then the point 18 along with its cartridge 15 and its sleeve 29 are moved upwardly within the barrel. During the initial portion of this upward or inward movement, the sleeve 21 also moves upwards within the barrel with its closed end 22 abutting against the inner end of the cartridge 15 which in the meantime has become fixed against further upward movement as ,its shoulder 19" seats against the shoulder 20' of the hood 14 which in tum is seated against the barrel at 13. Upon further inward movement of said members 18, y15 and 29, the ball 32, which is now lifted out of contact between the lower teeth 27, moves into contact with a tapered side 28" of an upper tooth 28. The ball 32 then moves upwardly along said side 28 until it contacts a vertical side 28. Next, as the instrument is lifted upward from the rigid surface, the ball 32 drops from contact with upper teeth 28 and `again comes into engage'- Vment with one of the tapered edges 27 along which it moves until it again drops into-engagement within a deep recess 26, thereby assuming again the position of FIG- URE 1.

The above described lsequence of steps is illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE 6. Here the latching` mechanism has been developed into a single plane and the small circles with the ladjacent numerals represent the location of the ball 32 at various stages of the cycle with relation to the latching members 24 and 25. In order to simplify the diagram and to make it more clear, it is assumed for purposes of illustration only that the -members 2,4 and 25 are vstationary while only the ball 32 moves. However, in fact, the ball moves longitudinally and said members 24 and 25 move longitudinally, although the impor-tant point is their relative movement. Also the ball can rotate while said members 24 and 25 do not rotate, or said members 24 `and 25 can rotate while said ball does not. Again it is only important Ythat the ball rotate (.e. moves around the longitudinal axis of the instrument) relative to the members 24 and y25. Initially, 32 will be at position 1 within a deep slot or recess 26. When the writing instrument is pressed downwardly against a hard surface, the ball is moved upwardly out of its recess 26 to positionZ where it engages the tapered edge 28 of a tooth 2.8. As the ball is moved further upward, it slides along said tapered Vedge 28" to position 3 where it is stopped by a vertical edge 28. It will be noted that now the ball is above a tapered edge 27" of a lower tooth 27. Then as pressure is released, the ball drops down into engagement with a tapered edge 27" (position 4), moving `downward along said edge until it reaches position 5, at which point both ballpoints 18 and 18 will be in a retracted position. As the writing ball 18 is extended to writing position by subsequent pressing 'against a rigid surface, the ball 32 is Alifted Vto position 6 where it again engages ya tapered Vedge 28 of an upper tooth 28, rolls upwardly to position 7, next drops to position 8 as the instrument is lifted from engagement with said surface, rolls to position 9, and lually drops to position l', vat which `point both ballpoints 18 and 1'8' are again extended and the cycle is completed.

While the above illustration has been rnade by actuating the lower end of the instrument, .e. .by pressing on `the ballpoint 18, similar results are obtained by pressing the upper end of the instrument, .e. point .18', against a rigid surface. In this latter case, the inward movement of the point 18 along with its cartridge 15 vresults in forcing the `sleeve 2'1, along with its xed :latch members '24 and 25, downward. At the same time, the

when the point 18 is extended, the `ball longitudinal position of the ball 32 Within the barrel is maintained stationary. Next, one of the teeth 28 cornes into contact with the ball 32. Upon further downward movement of the teeth 28, the ball 32 is `forced along a tapered edge 28 until it reaches a vertical edge 2S. Then, as pressure is released on the ballpoint 18', i.e. by lifting the instrument free from a rigid surface, the sleeve 21 begins to return towards its original position under the inuence of the relatively strong spring 34. In doing so, the lower teeth 27 will now engage the ball 32 so that once again the instrument resumes the position of FIGURE 3 wherein the ball 32 is engaged between two adjacent teeth 27. A subsequent pressing of the point 18 against a rigid surface will result in releasing the ball 32 from its retracted position between yteeth 27 and move it once again into a deep slot 26. The preceding sequence is schematically illustrated in FIGURE 6, assuming the ball is vertically immovable and that the members 24 and 25 are vertically movable. Thus, the vertical movement of the members 24 and 25 relative to the ball 32, will result in the same relative position of the ball and said members as indicated by the numerals l through i1 of FIGURE 6i.

It is thus seen that I have provided a double pointed writing instrument, i.e. one having a writing point at each end of the barrel, which may be readily actuated to either retract or protract both writing points simultaneously into either a writing or a non-writing position. In FIGURES 7 to l0, I illustrate another aspect of my invention. Here latch members 40 and 40' are Xed within the barrel sections seating against the annular inner lips 41 and 41' respectively. Spaced from said members 40 and 40 are latch members 42 and 42 respectively. All latch members are tubular and can be rigidly held in place by frictional engagement with the inner wall of the tubular barrel portions. The top rim of the member 40 is formed with radially spaced deep slots or recesses 43 which are open at their top.

,Also formed in said top rim between said deep recesses 43, are pairs of upwardly projecting shallow teeth 44, each having a vertical edge 44 and a tapered edge 44". The lower rim of the upper member 42 is also notched to form the downwardly projecting radially spaced teeth 45, each having a vertical edge 45 and a tapered edge 45". Said downwardly projecting teeth 45 are radially oiset from the upwardly projecting `teeth 44. Slidably extending through said tubular latch members 41 and 42 is a tubular member 46, whose outer portion 47 is tapered inwardly and is formed with the interior annular lip 48. The member 46 serves as a hood or protector for the ballpoint. A series of spaced ears 49 eX- tend outwardly from an intermediate portion of said member 46, said ears having tapered top and bottom edges adapted for engagement with the toothed and slotted portions of the latch members 41 and 42.

A point and cartridge unit 50 is mounted in said barrel for reciprocal longitudinal movement and is formed with the ange or flattened portion 51. The lower or outer end of the cartridge 50 is slidable within the sleeve 46. A relatively weak coil compression spring 52, surrounding a portion of said cartridge 50, has one end seating against the washer 53 bearing against the underside of the ange 51, While the other end of said spring seats upon a washer 53 loosely carried atop the inner end of said sleeve member 46. The upper portion of the instrument is formed with a similar mechanism which is indicated by the use of prime marks to indicate similar parts but which are in a different position. Relatively strong coil springs 55 and 55 surrounding a portion of the respective cartridges 50 .and 50 seat against the washers 54 and 54 which bear against the respective flanges 51 and 51', and the threaded tubular connector 56.

FIGURE 7 shows the writing instrument with the ballpoint 18 shielded by the outer portion 47 of the sleeve 46. It will be noted that the ears 49 carried by said sleeve -46 vare resting on the bottom edge of the deep slots 43, so that the sleeve 46 is extended. The action of the spring 52, bearing upwardly against the cartridge, maintains the point 18 Within the hood 46. When the writing instrument is pressed down against a rigid surface 37, iirst the sleeve 46 and then the point 18 along with its cartridge 50 are forced inwardly against the pressure of the spring 55. As the sleeve 46 moves inwardly into the barrel, the ears 49 are lifted upwardly out of the deep slots Y43. At the isame time, the cartridge 50 moves the spring 55 upwardly. Meanwhile, the ears 49 come into contact with the tapered edges 45" of the .teeth 45 of the member 42. The ears 49 then slide upwardly along said tapered edges until they reach the vertical edges 45 of the neXt teeth as illustrated in FIGURE 9, thereby partly rotating the sleeve 46. The entire assembly assumes the position of FIGURE 8. Then as the instrument is lifted from the rigid surface 37, the sleeve 46 begins to return to its outwardly projecting position under action of the springs. The ears 49 correspondingly begin to move downward out of contact with the teeth 4S of the member 42 and soon come into contact with the tapered edges 44" of the teeth 44. The ears 49 are again partially rotated as they slide downwardly along Vsaid tapered edges 44 until stopped by the vertical edges 44. The sleeve 46 is now retained in its retracted position. Meanwhile the ballpoint 18 has returned to a projecting position under action of the springs as a new balance is reached between the springs 52 and 55. The whole assembly thus assumes the position shown in FIGURE 9, wherein the vballpoint 18 is exposed for writing use as the outer portion of the sleeve 46 is partially withdrawn into the barrel.

To extend the outer portion 47 of the sleeve 46 from its retracted position, the instrument is again pressed downward against a rigid surface. The point 18 and then the sleeve 46 are forced inwardly into the barrel. As the ysleeve is forced inwardly, the ears 49 are lifted out of contact between pairs of the lower teeth 44 and into contact with the tapered sides 4 of the upper teeth 45. The ears 49 are again partially rotated as they slide upwardly along the sides 4S" until they contact vertical sides 45'. Then as the instrument is lifted upward from the rigid surface, the ears 49 drop from contact with the upper teeth 45 and again come into engagement with Vthe tapered edges 44 of the lower teeth and slide along said edges 44 until said ears 49 drop into the deep recesses 43, thereby assuming lagain the position of FIG- URE 7.

It will be apparent that the above described sequence of steps is quite similar to that illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE 6 with the exception that an ear 49 replaces the ball 32, `and that said ear is carried by a hood so that the hood moves into 'and out of a retracted position -to thereby expose or conceal the writing point. .It will be clear that the upper end of the barrel with its ballpoint 18 will work in a similar manner to either retract or protract the hood 46. Also it is seen that this embodiment provides for independent action of the two points, whereas the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 6 provided for the simultaneous actuation of both writing points upon the inward movement of either point from either a retracted or protracted position.

While the preceding illustrates one form of my invention, it will be understood that many variations are possible without departing from the `scope of the invention. For example, rather than being a separate piece, the latch element 25 may be readily molded integral with the sleeve 21. It would also be apparent that the latch members 24 and 25 can be mounted and carried by the member 29, while the ball 32, or an equivalent latch element such as an ear, can be carried by the sleeve 21. Another apparent variation is that the ball A32 could be retained between the race 30 and the inner wall of the tubular member 21 rather than partly enclosing said ball 'Within the confines of said -race as shown in FIGURE 5. Still Aanother variation is that the hoods may be con- :structed of rubber or a similar flexible material which is fixed to the casing. Then, as the hood is pressed against 'a rigid surface it will tend to bow out as the writing point moves inwardly. When pressure i-s released, the exible hood resumes its original shape, appearing `as a `mere extension of the barrel. Another possible variation is the elimination of the tubular connector 56 of the embodiment of FIGURES 7 to 10 and joining the individual springs 55 and 55' into aV single unitary spring extending between the washers 54 and 54.

Another variation is shown in FIGURE ll. Y Here the member 29' is elongated and formed with an integral flange 58 so that the spring 34 bears against the bottom of the member 24 and the top of said angre 58. The ange 58 seats against the flange 16 of the cartridge. ln this variation, the cartridge can y-be loosely held within vthe bore 31' rather than relying upon 'rictional `engagement of said cartridge 15 and said Amember 29 as was -desoribed in the embodiment of FIGURES l to 6. Thus, the spring 34 directly urges apart the lower end of lthe member 29 and the sleeve 21. These and numerous other variations within the scope of this invention are possible. I claim:

l. A writing instrument comprising a barrel having lower `and upper open ends; a lower writing unit mounted within said barrel including a lower writing point; yan upper writing unit mounted vwithin said barrel including an upper writing point; a lower hood carried by said 'barrel having a lower outer end normally extending past the lower Vend of'said barrel, said lower outer'end being longitudinally movable relative to said lower end 'ofsaid barrel; an upper hood carried by said barrel having an upperouter end normally extending past the upper end of said barrel, said upper end being Vlongitudinally movable relative to said upper end of said barrel; resilient Vmeans urging said writing units outwardly relative `to said barrel Vtowards an extended position whereby their respective writing points extend through the outer ends of said hoods; 'and a single latching means assembly `deiining a point retracted position and a point `extended position, Asaid latching means assembly beingjin engagement with both kof said upper and lower writingunits, said latching-means assembly being shifted back and forth between said posil'tions in response to `longitudinal 'movements of said lower vwriting unit obtained Aby successive sequences of pressing said lower writing'point and said lower outer end of said lower hood into contact with a rigid surface to force said lower writing point and said lower hood outer end inwardly relative to said barrel against the pressure ofY said resilient means and then releasing said lower writing point 'and "said lower hood outer end from said contact, said latching means assembly also being shifted back and forth between said positions in response to longitudinal movements 'of said upper writing unit obtained by `successive sequences 'of pressing said upper writing 'pointand said upper outer end of said upper 'hood .into contact with a rigid 'surface to force said upper writing point yand said upper outer'end of said upper hood inwardlyrelative to said barrel against'the pressure of said resilient means and then releasing said upper writing point and said upper outer end of saidupper hood from said contact, said latching means assembly when in said point retracted position being operable to ret-ain both of .said writing points in a concealed position withinsaid hoods, said latching means assembly when in said point extended position being operable to retain both of said writing points A extended through 'the outer ends of said hoods. t Y

2. A writing instrument according to claim 1,'whe'rein said latching means assembly includes ya Vlatch'means and a latch receiving means, one of said latchmeans and'said latch receiving means engaging -said upper writing `unit and being vlongitudinally #movable therewith, the other of said latch means andsaid Ylatch receiving means engaging said lower writing unit and being longitudinally movable therewith.

3. A Lwriting instrument according to claim 2, wherein said latch receiving means deiines a deep recess and a 'shallow recess, Yand said latch vmeans defines a projecting member engageable with said latch receiving means within said recesses, said projecting member when within said `deep recess being Aoperable to obtain said point extended position, said projecting member when within said shallow recess being operable to obtain said point retracted position.

4. A writing instrument according to claim 3, wherein Asaid latching means assembly also includes means for alternately directing said projecting member into said deep recess and said shallow recess upon each of said se- -quences -5. A writing instrument comprising a barrel having upper and lower ends; a lower writing unit longitudinally movable within said barrel and including a lower writing point; a lower hood carried by said barrel having a lower 'end normally extending past the lower-end of said barrel, said lower end of said lower hood being longitudinally 'movable relative to said barrel; a lirst spring urging Asaid .lower writing unit inwardly relative to said barrel; lan .upper writing unit longitudinally movable within said barrel and including an upper writing point; an upper hood carried by said barrel having an upper end normally extending past the upper end of said barrel, said upper :end of said upper Ahood being longitudinally movable relative to said barrel; Aa second spring urging said upper writing unit inwardly relative to said barrel; a ltubular member conjointly longitudinally movable withsaid upper cartridge unit including a first set of teeth delining a deep longitudinally extending recess :and a shallow longitudinal- -ly extending'recess; a projecting member conjointly longitudinally movable with said lower writing unit; and toothed means carried by one of said units for alternatingly Ashifting/said vprojectin g .member back `and rforthibetween positions within said Adeep and shallow-recesses upon relative longitudinal movement'of said tubular member and said projecting member; a third spring urgingsaid tubular member upwardly and said projecting member downwardly -to thereby urge .both of vsaid writing units outwardly relative to said barrel .against the k'pressures of said rst and second springs; said relative longitudinal movement of said members being obtainable .by pressing said lower writing point and said lower end of said lower hood into contact with a rigid surface and then releasing from said contact, said relative longitudinal movement of said members also being obtainable by pressing said upper writing point :and said upper-end of said upper hood into contact with a rigid surface and ythen releasing from said contact, said lprojecting member when wiLhin said shallow recess being operable to simultaneously conceal said upper vwriting point within said upper hood fand to conceal said lower writing point within said lower hood, said ,projecting member when within said shallow recess being operable to simultaneously expose said upper writing Y:point outside of said upper hood and to expose said lower writing point outside of said lower hood. Y

6. A writing instrument according to claim 5, wherein said rst set of teeth are radially spaced, and wherein said toothed means include a second set of teeth radially offset from said first set of teeth.

7. A writing instrument-according to claim 5, including a cylindrical member carried by said lower cartridge unit, saidcylindrical member defining an annular groove, and wherein said projecting member is a ball carried within said groove. V

V8. A writing instrument according to claim 5, including a cylindrical member carried by said lower cartridge unit, Y

and 4wherein `said Yprojecting member is an ear carrieduby said cylindrical member.

(References -on following page) References Cited in the ie of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 1, 1887 Germany Sept. 25, 1896 5 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1949 10 Great Britain 1950 Great Britain 1957 Great Britain 1958 Switzerland July 15, 1959 Great Britain 1959 

1. A WRITING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A BARREL HAVING LOWER AND UPPER OPEN ENDS; A LOWER WRITING UNIT MOUNTED WITHIN SAID BARREL INCLUDING A LOWER WRITING POINT; AN UPPER WRITING UNIT MOUNTED WITHIN SAID BARREL INCLUDING AN UPPER WRITING POINT; A LOWER HOOD CARRIED BY SAID BARREL HAVING A LOWER OUTER END NORMALLY EXTENDING PAST THE LOWER END OF SAID BARREL, SAID LOWER OUTER END BEING LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID LOWER END OF SAID BARREL; AN UPPER HOOD CARRIED BY SAID BARREL HAVING AN UPPER OUTER END NORMALLY EXTENDING PAST THE UPPER END OF SAID BARREL, SAID UPPER END BEING LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID UPPER END OF SAID BARREL; RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID WRITING UNITS OUTWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID BARREL TOWARDS AN EXTENDED POSITION WHEREBY THEIR RESPECTIVE WRITING POINTS EXTEND THROUGH THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID HOODS; AND A SINGLE LATCHING MEANS ASSEMBLY DEFINING A POINT RETRACTED POSITION AND A POINT EXTENDED POSITION, SAID LATCHING MEANS ASSEMBLY BEING IN ENGAGEMENT WITH BOTH OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER WRITING UNITS, SAID LATCHING MEANS ASSEMBLY BEING SHIFTED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN SAID POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENTS OF SAID LOWER WRITING UNIT OBTAINED BY SUCCESSIVE SEQUENCES OF PRESSING SAID LOWER WRITING POINT AND SAID LOWER OUTER END OF SAID LOWER HOOD INTO CONTACT WITH RIGID SURFACE TO FORCE SAID 